FRA to build new Tamavua-i‑Wai Bridge in next 4 to 5 years

The Fiji Roads Authority will build the new Tamavua-i‑Wai Bridge in the next four to five years. Acting Prime Minister, Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum confirmed this after a representative from Pacific Cement asked him if the government has any future plans for the bridge.

He told Sayed-Khaiyum that they use heavy loaded trucks on the road and a load limit is imposed on the bridge. While speaking during the 2017/2018 National Budget Consultation with the private sector in Suva, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum stressed that there is a need to look at the long term solution regarding the loading structure in particular getting out of Suva through Lami.

Meanwhile Sayed-Khaiyum was also asked to look into the issue of congestion at the Suva Port. The Pacific Cement representative says that they import about 27,000 tonnes of clinker every 60 days and since the congestion is limited, they have to offload their shipment on anchorage. He confirmed that the damage cost for this is over $1 million.

In response Sayed‑Khaiyum says that nearly a third of the port that is used for offloading and loading are very weak. He says that the Fiji Ports Corporation Board is having discussions to either upgrade or relocate the port. The Acting Prime Minister adds that they are working on the master development plan however the issue cannot be addressed in a month or in a year.